Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol - prediction, team news, lineups

[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]:
1. Athletic Bilbao currently sit 7th in La Liga with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses, totaling 23 points. Being just 5 points away from the European football qualification zone, the team are highly motivated to secure a spot. Their home form this season has been remarkably steady, boasting 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, which underscores their formidable resilience on home soil. The San Mames is famously regarded as a fortress for visiting teams. With the urgent need for points to enter the European football qualification, the team's determination to win this match is beyond doubt.
2. Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams possesses elite acceleration and top-tier sprinting speed. His explosive burst allows him to bypass defenders on the flank with ease, making him the focal point and primary weapon of the team's counter-attacking transitions.
3. Athletic Bilbao received 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the last 6 home games, performing overwhelmingly at home. In the last Champions League match, the team drew with Paris Saint-Germain FC at home.
4. In the last 5 encounters between the two teams, Athletic Bilbao have a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, having the upper hand.
5. The AH line is -0.5 for the home side, which is in favor of Athletic Bilbao.

[(Athletic Bilbao) Weakness]:
1. Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian will be suspended in this league game due to yellow card accumulation. Defenders Yeray Alvarez, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche, and Unai Egiluz, midfielder Benat Prados, and forward Maroan Sannadi, will miss this round of La Liga due to injury.
2. Athletic Bilbao were winless with 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 3 games across all competitions, showing a decline in recent form.
3. Athletic Bilbao conceded 11 goals in the last 10 games, featuring poor defense.

[(RCD Espanyol) Strength]:
1. Performing impressively this season, RCD Espanyol currently sit 5th in the standings with 30 points, recording 9 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. Trailing the Champions League spots by just 5 points, their performance has far exceeded pre-season expectations. The team are in hot form, riding a four-match winning streak in the league. Notably, they secured 1-0 victories in each of their last three outings, showcasing exceptional defensive resilience and the ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. To solidify their top-five status and keep their Champions League ambitions alive, the team's motivation remains incredibly high.
2. RCD Espanyol forward Pere Milla boasts exceptional pace and dribbling skills, allowing him to exploit openings on the flank either through solo runs or slick link-up play to deliver crosses or test the keeper. His movement is highly intelligent; he excels at drifting along the wings to find pockets of space, always ready to burst into the penalty area and create goalscoring opportunities.
3. RCD Espanyol won four league games in a row lately, showing overwhelming form. They beat Getafe CF 1-0 away from home in the last league match.
4. RCD Espanyol achieved 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 away matches, demonstrating outstanding away performances.
5. RCD Espanyol scored 11 goals and conceded only 7 in the last 10 games, featuring balanced offense and defense.
6. RCD Espanyol won 4 of the last 5 games in AH, indicating excellent winning strength.

[(RCD Espanyol) Weakness]:
1. RCD Espanyol midfielder Charles Pickel has been called up by Democratic Rep Congo for the Africa Cup of Nations and will miss this fixture. In addition, midfielder Ramon Terrats and forward Javier Puado are both ruled out of the clash due to injury.

[Tips]:
Athletic Bilbao received 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the last 6 home games, performing overwhelmingly at home.

They are now 7th in La Liga.

RCD Espanyol won four league games in a row lately, showing overwhelming form.

The team are ranked 5th in the table.

In the last 5 encounters between the two teams, Athletic Bilbao have a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, having the upper hand.

The AH line is -0.5 for the home side, which is in favor of Athletic Bilbao.

Thus, Athletic Bilbao are expected to beat RCD Espanyol in this home game.

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Athletic Bilbao (-0.5)